Convertible chair.



PATENTED MAY 26, 1908.

G. E. GLAPP. CONVERTIBLE CHAIR. APPLIOATION IIL'ED AUG. 24, 1906.

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PATENTED MAY '26 G.E.GLAPP. CONVERTIBLE CHAIR. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 24, 1906.

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GEORGE CLAPP, OF GOSHEN, INDIANA.

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR.

Application filed August 24,

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. OLAPP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Goshen, county of Elkhart, and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Convertible Chairs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in convertible chairs.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide an improved convertible chair which may be readily adapted as or converted into a high-chair, rocking-chair or wheel-chair. Second, to provide an improved convertible chair which, when adjusted as a rockingchair, has the appearance of an ordinary rockingchair. Third, to provide an improved convertible chair which may be manufactured at a small additional cost over common forms of highchairs or rockingchairs.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and point ed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this speci fication, in which,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved convertible chair, adjusted as a high-chair. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of my improved convertible chair, adjusted as a rocking-chair, the tray 10 being thrown back, its position in use being indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 3, showing a detail of the locking bar for retaining the parts in position when the chair is adjusted as a high-chair. Fig. 5 is a detail section taken on a line corresponding to line 55 of Fig. 4:. Fig. 6 is an inverted detail of the table 10. Fig. 7 is a detail side elevation showing the chair adapted or arranged as a wheel-chair. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail showing the manner of'securing the wheels in position.

In the drawing, similar reference characters refer .to similar parts throughout the Specification of Letters Patent.

several views, and the sectional views are Patented May 26, 1 908.

1906. Serial No. 331,864.

taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section-lines.

Referring to the drawing, the seat 1 is of the usual or any desired form and is preferably provided with a suitable back and arms similar to the ordinary high-chair or childs rocking-chair. The seat 1 is provided with short front and rear legs 2. The rockers are 'each formed of two pieces or members 3 arranged in pairs side by side and secured together by a horizontally arranged pivot 4. The forward ends of one of the rocker members of each pair are secured by the pivots 5 to the lower ends of the front legs 2. The rear ends of the other rocker members are connected to the chair seat by links 6 which are pivotally connected to these rocker members and to the chair legs. The rear ends of these rocker members are adapted to fold upwardly under the chair seat to form legs, as clearly appears in Fig. 1. When in this position, the other rocker members form extensions for the front legs.

The chair is held in its adjusted position as a high-chair by the locking bar 8 which engages the upper ends of the rocker members forming the rear legs when the chair is adjusted as a high-chair, holding them in position and thus the other parts. This locking bar is preferably in the form of a rod arranged through loop-like brackets; see Figs. 4 and 5. To further guide the locking bar, its ends are turned upwardly to enter holes 16 provided in the under side of the therefor. The locking bar is held normally downward by the springs 9.

When the chair is adjusted as a rocking chair, the short rear legs rest upon the rockers. This takes practically all the strain off the pivots for the links 6, and also gives the chair a substantial and. complete appearance when adjusted as a rocking-chair.

When it is desired to convert the chair from a rocking-chair into a high-chair, it is only necessary to place the foot upon the round 17 which connects the inner members of the rockers, and lift upwardly on the chair seat. This throws the rear ends of the outer members of the rockers under the chair and the locking bar automatically engages the same and retains them in position.

When it is desired to convert the chair from a high-chair into a rocking-chair, it .is only necessary to lift up on the locking bar and push down on the seat. The table or tray 10 ICC may be pivoted to the back of the seat, as is illustrated, or secured in any other manner. In the structure illustrated, it is provided with a catch 11 for retaining it in position.

To convert the chair into a wheel-chair, I provide the wheels 13 with axles 12. On these axles at each end are eyes 14 having stems 15 adapted to be inserted in suitable holes in the under side of the rockers. wheels are thus detachably secured so that they may be attached or removed, as desired. WVhile I prefer to remove the wheels when the chair is to be used as a high chair, it may be adjusted as a high chair without so doing.

As it is desirable that the foot rest 18 be folded up out of the way when the chair is adjusted as a rocking chair, (see the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 3), I pivot the foot rest to the forward legs and secure the hooks 19 thereto, which I arrange to engage behind the legs when the foot rests are turned down. This forms a simple and effective supporting means therefor. The details of the pivotingare not here illustrated, as it is believed that the same will be obvious.

I have illustrated and described my improved convertible chair in detail in the form preferred by me on account of its structural simplicity. I am aware, however, that it is capable of being considerably varied in structural details without departing from my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. In a convertible chair, the combination with a seat front legs therefor; rockers, each formed of two pieces or members arranged in pairs side by side and connected by pivots, one member of each pair being pivoted at its front end to the lower ends of said front legs; short rear legs; links pivotally connected to said rear legs and to the other rockermembers so that their rear ends may be swung up under the seat to form rear legs for the chair, when adjusted as a high-chair, the other rocker members then forming extensions for the said front legs, said rear legs being adapted to rest upon the rockers when the chair is adjusted as a rocking-chair, the said links being arranged on the outside of the said rear legs and on the inside of the rocker members The.

to which they are connected, whereby they lie alongside of the rocker members when the chair is adjusted as a high chair and along side of the said rear legs when the chair is adjusted as a rocking chair; and means for looking the members in position when adjusted as a high chair, for the purpose specified.

2. In a convertible chair, the combination with a seat; front legs therefor; rockers, each formed of two pieces or members arranged in pairs side by side and connected by pivots, one member of each pair being pivoted at its front end to the lower ends of the said front legs; links pivotally connected to the seat and to the other rocker members so that their ends may be swung up under the seat to form rear legs for the chair, when adjusted as a high-chair, the other rocker members forming extensions for the said front legs; a locking bar having upturned ends arranged in suitable holes in said seat adapted to automatically secure said rocker members forming the rear legs of said chair when adjusted as a high-chair guide brackets for said locking bar secured on the under side of said seat; and a spring for holding said locking bar 1riiormally downward, for the purpose speci- 3. In a convertible chair, the combination with a seat; front legs therefor; rockers, each formed of two pieces or members arranged in pairs side by side and connected by pivots, one member of each pair being ivoted at its front end to the lower ends of t e said front legs; links pivotally connected to the seat and to the other rocker members so that their rear ends may be swung up under the seat to form rear legs for the chair, when adjusted as a high-chair, the other rocker members forming extensions for the said front legs; a looking bar adapted to automatically secure said rocker members forming the rear legs of said chair when adjusted as a high-chair; guide brackets for said locking bar on the under side of said seat, and a spring for holding said locking bar normally downward, for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE E. CLAPP. [L. s.] Witnesses:

B. F. DEAHL, L. BURR WHIPPY. 

